Lets Talk Crayons

[laundrymom]

Here, we use markers far more often than crayons, so my crayons last a long time. For toddlers, I like chunky crayons, triangular shaped (so they don't roll off the table and break). For the skinny crayons, I have a rectangular basket that's divided into 6 sections. Each section holds a tin can. The crayons are sorted by color into those cans. Broken ones are set aside for melting projects. The kids use the crayons carefully because they're stored rather high and the littlest kids don't tend to pull them out; they're mostly used by bigger kids.

Tip. I line griddel w foil.
Get hot. And carefully hold crayon against it. To get a flat spot. So they don't roll. Then pop onto a chilled plate to set.

[childcaremom]

I had a DCK once that thought all crayons had to be opened before use.

Spent a lot of time convincing her the wrappers stayed on the crayons.

::::

I can see that. I have a dcb3 who has not been exposed to much in the way of these kinds of materials and he likes to sit and break them. It takes a LOT of reminding not to do it. He makes me glad I don't buy new ones.

[snbauser]

I guess I am the oddball on this. Broken crayons are actually better for fine motor development than full size crayons. Same with chalk. And for pencils, we use the golf pencils for the same reason. So I rarely ever have "new" crayons. And all our crayons are in a drawer in the art center.

[Ariana]

I use them broken and naked

[Unregistered]

I use cupcake molds, you can find them in all kinds of shapes especially around the holidays. Break up crayons into small enough pieces to fit and put them in the oven on low (200-250) for about 20 minutes then I put them in the fridge to chill and set faster. It's really fun to experiment with different colors!

Plus my kids would peel paper off crayons for an hour or more, they loved it!

I read that letting the crayons soak in water made the papers fall off

[daycare]

I use them broken and naked

Hahaha that made me laugh

Thanks for all of the ideas.

[NeedaVaca]

I read that letting the crayons soak in water made the papers fall off

Yes, but I get to enjoy an hour of peace and quiet

[NeedaVaca]

Speaking of crayons, don't forget to stock up!! Crayons are on sale for back to school and I get tons of the 24 packs for 25 cents each! I'm just stocked up on all my craft supplies like glue, paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils etc...

[Laurel]

I had a DCK once that thought all crayons had to be opened before use.

Spent a lot of time convincing her the wrappers stayed on the crayons.

::::::

That kind of makes sense. You unwrap other things like candy.

Laurel

[Thriftylady]

I have some colored pencils, but I hate "can you sharpen this" constantly. Those of you who use them, how do you get around that?

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I have some colored pencils, but I hate "can you sharpen this" constantly. Those of you who use them, how do you get around that?

Electric pencil sharpener--they want to sharpen all the time! I have to remind them only to sharpen when they actually need it. But they can do it on their own.

[Febby]

These are good for toddlers http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/...&scategoryid=0 They don't break and no paper. The chubby ones.

Those are what we keep out for our three year olds. We have nicer crayons (with more colors!) but those only come out during art time.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

Just came across this use for old crayons today.

And a book I got recently has an idea for making crayons inside Japanese knotweed stalks for a mold (a type of bamboo that's invasive here). They were making crayons from beeswax, but it would be a great idea as a mold for old crayon bits, too! Hmmm...when can I get to this?

[Baby Beluga]

I have some colored pencils, but I hate "can you sharpen this" constantly. Those of you who use them, how do you get around that?

I found a large handheld pencil sharpener/eraser combo at Walmart - the kiddos use that. The older ones (3&4) happily keep track of which ones need sharpening.

[Laurel]

Yes, but I get to enjoy an hour of peace and quiet

Exactly! :: If you want the paper off you might as well make an activity out of it. One time mine spent a lot of time sorting the colors into piles. I didn't really tell them to. One did and then they all wanted to. Ahhh, it was so peaceful.

Laurel